Chapter Twenty One - Meta-philosophy

Disclaimer: The Harry Potter universe belongs to the proverbial Duchess of Magic, JK Rowling, Scholastic, Bloomsbury, Warner Bros and some other high falutin' companies. No matter how much I whine about not owning anything related to the HP universe, other than a few fanfic plots, I do not profess to own - and would never dream of making any money off - JKR's wonderful world... Damn it!

Chapter Twenty One - Meta-philosophy

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—==(oIo)==—

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The next evening, Harry raised a new topic.

"Late yesterday afternoon we talked about the latent part of the soul bond between Hermione and Daphne. I know that came as quite a shock because, as Matthias asked, how would we finalise such a bond.

"At that time we told you how we figured out it has more to do with the emotional side of love, rather than the physical side. Now that you've had time to think that over, I think I need to explain further the nature of souls."

With head nods from the adults, Harry explained, "I had a bit of... what do they call it?... an epiphany. A... sudden understanding of the concepts of life, body and souls. I've now come to understand that matter better. I think it was our angels who first got me thinking about it. And I think my angel, specifically, had something to do with that."

Seeing the understanding on the faces of everyone else, he continued. "People tend to think we are what you see before you; the flesh and blood and personality; and that we have souls. I believe that is incorrect."

Seeing the confusion he clarified. "I believe we do not have souls; we are souls, and we have bodies.

"Now, think about that for a minute. If I'm right... and I believe I am... it answers a lot of questions concerning why, for example, Dementor's Kiss Syndrome has the effect it has; and what the Killing Curse actually accomplishes."

Harry could see the dawning understanding on the face of Matthias, Deece and Sirius; but, not Ant and Cele.

"You see, the Dementor's Kiss strips the soul from the body. If you are the soul, as I believe, it explains why Dementor's Kiss Syndrome leaves the body functioning but there being absolutely no response from the person within. The reason is because there is no longer anyone there to respond.

"The body has what're known as autonomic functions. The heart beating, the lungs breathing, food in the stomach being processed, the liver and kidneys filtering your blood, et cetera, are not controlled by the person. They all happen apart from conscious thought. That is, they are not controlled by the soul within. However, while food being processed in the stomach is automatic, the act of eating and drinking is not automatic; that requires conscious thought. You have to be in control of the physical body. So, with no food or water going into the body, it soon dies. It also explains why the Imperious curse doesn't work on someone who's been Kissed.

"As for the Killing Curse, it works by stopping the body like snuffing a candle. It snuffs out life by making the body instantly unable to sustain continued life. That immediately renders the body uninhabitable for the soul. The soul is driven out and lives on, but the body doesn't. In a way, it is the exact opposite of the Dementor's Kiss.

"Now, the proof. If a person didn't exist within the soul, rather than the body, then you wouldn't have ghosts. They would be impossible to exist. A spirit, without consciousness, is impossible. And we know ghosts have consciousness; they think. We can talk to them and they will talk back to us. Ergo, you are the spirit, the soul, not the body you currently inhabit. That is only a physical shell you inhabit to interact with the physical world.

"Secondly, it explains how Voldemort... Riddle... is going to come back. At the moment he is a spirit... a soul without a body. We three know he is going to create himself a body for that soul to enter and remain inhabiting.

"I just thank the Gods he either hasn't thought of it, or can't figure out how, to inhabit a body that's been Kissed. And I pray to all that is Heavenly that no one else ever does, either."

He let them gel on that for a while before he brought the subject back around.

"Now let's bring that back to us three," he said, indicating himself and the two girls. "It's called a soul bond, not a body bond. That implies it deals with our souls rather than our bodies. They've at least got that right. This is one of the reasons why I believe it's not the physical act of love but, rather, the spiritual act of love and commitment to one another that both strengthens the bond and will eventually see it finalised and sealed.

"Proof of that exists in that there has never been a soul bond or binding formed through an act of sexual assault, or similar; or through an act of prostitution, or similar; as Hermione mentioned, last night.

"You see, our sex is determined by our physical form - male and female. But, our souls are not, except for physical shape. Our souls become shaped due to the physical form, which is why ghosts always have the shape of their body at the time of their death. That includes defects such as Nearly-Headless Nick's near total decapitation, Moaning Myrtle's glasses, Professor Binns's aged frailness, and the Bloody Baron's blood upon his robes, to name a few.

"And the physical form, through body chemicals, impresses on the thinking; and, therefore, the person - the soul. That, together with society's mores, is how man becomes attracted to woman and vice versa. However, sometimes, the body chemicals do not impress fully upon the soul because the chemicals are weaker... or, the soul is simply stronger... and you occasionally have homosexuality.

"For us three," he said, again indicating himself and his bondmates, "Our souls are bonded, and it was done through Heaven. The souls that are Harry James, Daphne Anna and Hermione Jean, are bonded. Or, more to the point, are in the process of bonding. It's our souls that are attracted to one another. As such our sexes, and our chemically-driven sexuality, have nothing to do with it. Because of the body chemicals impinging on our thinking, it both helps a lot and gets in the way. However, it's us as souls that will soon finalise the bond. And we are not owned by our individual sexes."

When he finished, he sat back, but remained a little tense worried about their reactions.

Surprising to Harry, it was Hermione who first spoke. "Harry," she asked. "When did you become a metaphysical philosopher?"

Harry snorted and replied, "I've always been one, I think. Or, at least, a general philosopher. It was those bloody potions that stopped me from being able to think so well. Now that Weasley's no longer dosing me with loyalty potions and the like my mind's becoming freer. I'm able to properly think again."

"That's... deep!" said Sirius, the first of the adults to respond; and not having heard Hermione, he was so deep in thought.

"I'll say!" snorted Ant.

"If he's right, it explains a lot," said Deece. "It also makes a great deal of sense."

"It also makes the idea of Daphne and Hermione... interacting... a great deal easier to accept," said Matthias.

"Which, I think, is the reason he explained it," added Cele.

Harry smiled and nodded.

"So, what you're saying is," asked Ant. "We need to stop thinking of you three as the physical you; and start thinking of you as the soul you?"

"No and yes," replied Harry. "You know us as the physical us. I cannot expect you to think any differently to that on that matter. What I'm asking you to start considering is the soul us, as well.

"I know society's mores makes it hard for you to accept there will be a... more intimate relationship... between Hermione and Daphne. I'm trying to give you something to help you rationalise it, so you'll be more comfortable with it."

"It does help," said Cele. "And I can't believe I've just realised that."

"It helps me!" said Daphne, giving Harry a very direct look. "I just wish you'd shared it with us, first."

"Sorry," Harry sheepishly replied. "But, something inside me told me the time wasn't right until now."

"You're going to have to give me this talk again later, Harry," grouched Hermione. "I don't have the manuscript for our book on hand. This needs to go into the book."

"Book?" asked Deece.

"We've been asked to write a book about soul bonds by Madam Pomfrey," explained Hermione. "She wants us to document everything we learn so people's understanding of soul bonds can be enhanced... or corrected."

"You're not using your names, are you?" asked a suddenly worried Matthias.

"No," she replied. "We'll use pseudonyms for the actual characters. And we've agreed to use nom de plumes... pen names... for the authors. Not even the eventual publishers will be allowed to know our real names."

"When you've got the time to write it down, Hermione, ask Matthias if you can borrow his pensieve to check your own memory of this," suggested Harry.

"That's a good idea," said Matthias, nodding. "I think I'll do the same. There are aspects of that... lesson... that I want to speak with others about. Dementor's Kiss Syndrome and the effects of the Killing Curse, for example. If Harry's right, and I think he is, it'll open up new research into both of those."

Gathering herself, Deece asked, "I think we all need time to absorb what we've just heard. Who's up for an evening libation?"

With affirmatives from the group, a house elf was called to take orders.

Once everyone had a drink of their choice, Harry started on the next part of what he wanted to share with them.

"Now, on the matter of ghosts," he said, licking his lips of suds of butterbeer. "Does anyone know the reason why only magicals become ghosts? Or why, after centuries of searching using vivisection and the like, they've never actually been able to find what it is in the physical body that makes a muggle different to a magical?"

After head shakes all round, he explained. "Both those subjects have, essentially, the same answer. It's because witches and wizards don't control magic with their bodies; they control it with their souls. And that's because magic is channelled through the soul; not the body.

"When you think about it, the proof is before you when you meet a ghost and discover that only magicals can become ghosts. A ghost, as you now know, is a soul that has yet to pass on to the afterlife. And, it's only through their ability to wield magic that a soul doesn't immediately pass on with the death of the physical body.

"If magic was part of the body instead of the soul, then as soon as the soul departed the body it would be no different to the soul of a muggle. Therefore it would, just as muggles' souls do, pass on.

"I started thinking about this at the end of second year when the piece of Tom Riddle's soul that was locked into his diary began to draw off the life force of Ginny Weasley, before I destroyed the diary.

"Even before that soul piece was fully corporeal, Riddle was able to wield and use Ginny's wand. He used it against me. If the magic is channelled through the physical body, that should not have been possible. So, too, should it not have been possible if magic is not channelled through the soul.

"Next, ghosts can talk. We can hear them. That should not be possible without magic. Air does not pass through lungs and out over vocal chords to make sound; sound, which we hear as speech. So, it must be magic in the soul of the ghost that allows it to talk to us. Magic recognises the need and replaces the operation of the vibrating vocal chords.

"It also explains muggleborns a lot more thoroughly. It makes no sense, whatsoever, that there is continually occurring the same genetic... alteration... that causes a muggleborn to suddenly occur across very diverse people. However, it becomes obvious when you understand the number of children born to magicals has substantially dropped off. Those souls waiting to be born have to go somewhere. So, it's into the forming bodies of muggle foetuses they go."

After Harry quietened and sat back again, Mathias said, "Again that makes a lot of sense. I'm definitely going to have to talk to some people about this."

"Damn, Potter," muttered Daphne. "You're both full of surprises and a lot smarter than you act."

Harry just impudently grinned back.

Talk then devolved to lighter topics for the rest of the evening before bed.

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—==(oIo)==—

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With the Yule Ball taking place at the school the next night, the Greengrasses arranged for their Yule dinner the evening before, Christmas Eve.

The intervening days since their major shopping trip to Diagon Alley saw a trip shopping at a muggle shopping mall, led by the Grangers; quiet days at the Farm; Daphne attempting to teach Harry and Hermione how to ride a horse - somewhat successful for Hermione, but an unmitigated disaster for Harry; Harry coaxing Hermione onto a broom for more advanced lessons in riding a broom; and time spent together for Harry to get to know his future in-laws and his godfather better, and the girls to get to know their own future in-laws.

By Christmas Eve even Ant had come to accept his daughter was soon to be married to two people; one of whom was another girl.

The next morning, the combined families were gathered in the parlour around the Christmas tree, under which was piled the gifts in a manner similar to muggle families.

Matthias offered the position of 'Gift Giver'... the person who sits near the tree and hands the gifts out... to Sirius. And, Sirius was both deeply honoured and quite moved by the gesture.

With gifts being passed out in quite an orderly fashion, there did not exist the usual large mess of torn and shredded Christmas wrapping paper; of which the Greengrass elves seemed somewhat disappointed.

Harry picked up a usual haul, without the cheap and homemade sweets and jumper from the Weasleys, this year. He also watched carefully as he and Sirius gave each other a direct look as he passed Harry's gifts to both girls.

Harry, feeling quite pleased with himself, watched as both opened their gifts at the same time and saw the earrings and necklace chokers within. He'd bought them when he was with Ant and Matthias and the girls were off with Cele and Deece during their shopping within the Alley.

Both girls looked completely dumbfounded by the gifts, at first, before Daphne softly said, "Oohh... Harrrry!" They then both attempted to snog him to within an inch of his life before both Ant and Matthias directly and pointedly cleared their throats as their wives unabashedly grinned and Sirius was trying not to laugh. All three teens were blushing as they separated.

Giving his own throat a little clearing cough, Harry said, "I thought you might like them to wear for tonight."

"They'll be perfect," gushed Hermione, again looking down at the earrings and choker within its velvet-lined box.

"Mmm," hummed Daphne with a verbal nod in agreement, still looking down at her own earrings and choker.

Remus even stopped in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and was immediately invited to stay for a while and enjoy Christmas lunch. He told them what he'd been up to since they last saw him at Hogwarts, and how he was, yet again, looking for work.

For what looked like it might have been an often offered offer, Sirius offered Remus access to 'The London House' at Grimmauld Place for him to stay; and Remus gratefully declined, yet again.

Trying to reduce the embarrassment... or add to it, he knew not which... Harry said to Sirius, "He probably has a secret girlfriend he doesn't want you to know about yet, Padfoot."

With his eyes alight with glee, Sirius turned to Remus and asked, "Is that it, Moony ol' mate? You've got a secret giiirrrlfriend?"

Blushing... Remus stammered back, "N-no, no! Nothing like that. No!"

Remus asked Harry for a quiet word after lunch, and they stepped into the entrance hall for a few minutes.

"What did you want to talk to me about, Moony?" asked Harry.

Harry could see his other honourary uncle thought it was a difficult matter to discuss and took a few moments to compose his thoughts. Eventually, he sighed and asked, "Harry, do you suddenly dislike Dumbledore? Has he done something that's greatly offended you?"

Harry stared back for a few moments before he replied, "That depends. Is it you asking; or, is it you asking on his behalf?"

Confused, Remus asked, "Does it matter?"

"Yes," he replied, almost coldly. "It's time for flat-out, straight-up honesty, here, Remus. So, is it you asking, or did he ask you to ask on his behalf?"

Still somewhat confused, but now quite aware this was something important to his cub, Remus quietly but honestly replied, "It's me asking, cub."

Allowing the tension that he didn't realise he had been feeling to ease out of his body, Harry said, "Then, yes and no. I've recently put a great deal of thought into what's been happening in my life, both before and after starting at Hogwarts, and have come to understand that Dumbledore has been responsible for almost all the bad things that have happened to and around me.

"He is responsible for ignoring the wishes of my parents in where I was to be placed if I was orphaned; he is responsible for not checking up on me to make sure I was being well cared for while under the abusive hands of my muggle aunt and uncle; he is responsible for knowingly and continually sending me back to an abusive environment when both I and Madam Pomfrey made him aware of the condition of my health, when I arrived at Hogwarts as an eleven year old; he has illegally, and with full understanding of the law, often cast Legilimens upon me; he has known Snape does the same thing; he blocked me from receiving any mail from someone not on his personal approval list, and that included Gringotts; he is partly responsible for Sirius not being given a trial, and being sent straight to Azkaban; he is responsible for Sirius not getting a trial when he escaped, when he had it in his power to do so; he was supposed to be responsible for looking after my family's financial holdings until I was emancipated, and didn't do it, causing great financial harm to me and mine; he attempted to use compulsion charms on both myself and my bondmates to force our compliance, and was caught red-handed in the act; he had both Hermione and me loaded up with tracking charms left, right and centre, and some of those were blood-based, which is illegal; he is aware the Weasleys attempted to secretly dose me with love potions keyed to Ginevra, and loyalty potions keyed to Ron, plus other things, and then allowed them to return to the school; he then attempted to pervert the course of justice and get them all off when I forced it to trial; and there's quite a bit more. However, those are the ones I know for sure and am willing to talk about.

"He is actively working towards trying to control me through: Withholding information from me, such as the true wealth of my holdings; why Riddle is still trying to kill me and why he's trying to control me; attempting to guilt-trip me into staying a student at Hogwarts and giving up my hard won emancipation; illegally and in direct contravention of my parents' wishes, maintaining magical guardianship over me; using the portraits, ghosts and house elves of Hogwarts to spy on me; trying to stop me from leaving the school grounds as is my right; trying to butt into my House business, including attempting to put up listening charms in a sealed and warded room where I'm involved in House business; plus others.

"He is absolutely terrified I'm going to take myself, my bondmates and Daphne's little sister and transfer us all to another school outside of Britain; and won't say why he's terrified of that.

"The man has a very frighteningly unhealthy interest in me. I do not like it, and will no longer tolerate it. Because of his known actions, at least, I consider the man my personal enemy and on my personal enemy list. And, anyone doing his bidding, is automatically added to that list when I learn who they are.

"There are far, far too many people who think the sun shine's out of that whiskered wanker's arse; and that he can do no wrong. He has people convinced to do the wrong thing all because he says it's for some undefined amorphous 'Greater Good', and will never tell anyone what that supposed greater good actually is. I fully intend to get as far from him and his greasy clutches as I can, as soon as I can.

"He has all these people under his control through that little illegal bird club of his. And they, too, are quite happy to break the law for him if he asks. That included Sirius; though, not any more. I consider those people also on my enemy list. So, if you're in that club, resign from it or consider your honourary uncle status revoked. If I had thought he'd sent you here to spy on me, I would not have hesitated to take you down, through whatever means necessary, and throw your arse head first through the Floo into the Three Broomsticks.

"Does that answer your question?"

Gaping back in complete shock, Remus stuttered, "Y-yes, Harry; it does."

"Good," Harry firmly said back. "Now; I'm sorry for becoming such a hard-arse about it; but I and my family, here, seem to be spending way too much time blocking Dumbledore from interfering with me and mine. He just won't quit."

"We three have spent the better part of the past four months learning every ward and detection charm we can learn to block that manipulative old coot from, again, getting me in his clutches. You wouldn't believe how many tracking and monitoring charms we've found. Our two personal house elves are having a lot of fun finding and destroying those charms on an almost daily basis. They're also the only two house elves we allow to prepare our meals and drinks while in the castle.

"So, Remus, you have choice to make; stay away from him and his subtle little manipulations... or me."

"That's going to be difficult, cub," Remus sighed. "He's done so much for me."

"Ah, yes," said Harry. "He let you attend Hogwarts. Tell me, Remus: How many other children with a furry little problem has he allowed to attend? None. How many were, or are, just as worthy and would have been willing to take the same protections you did? Probably a great many. So, why haven't there been any others?

"If you do run into him, be prepared for him to try and manipulate you. One of the one's he'll definitely use is trying to guilt-trip you into doing what he wants because he allowed you attend the school. The second will be to tell you it's for the Greater Good and expect you to comply. All the while he'll adopt that much disappointed favourite grandfather persona he uses, with his eyes twinkling merrily away. You'll see.

"He's also tried to talk to both my bondmates away from me; which is also illegal; using the same tactics. Please, don't allow him to do it to you. Plus, if you do run into him, as soon as you're away from him, check yourself for tracking and monitoring charms. He can't seem to help himself, there.

"And, finally, don't look him directly in the eyes at close distances. As I said, he's a master Legilimens and is able to scan your surface thoughts without use of the Legilimens charm. That twinkly eye thing he does? It's a cantrip designed to draw your eyes to his so he can do the passive scan."

"He might try a few other things first before he finally resorts to, 'Remus, my boy; you're going dark!' and adopt an expression of fearful concern. That, at least, should prove to you he's a manipulative old bastard. Apparently, he's tried similar with Sirius; just as he continues to try with me.

Frowning but nodding, Remus sighed and said, "Alright, cub. I'll go and talk to Sirius about it, first; but I'm concerned you may be reading into things as sinister actions where nothing of the sort actually exists."

"Good," Harry nodded back. "Always question; never just accept something as fact without further evidence. No wonder you were the brains behind the Marauders." Taking a breath and trying to relax again, he asked, "Shall we go and find out what everyone else is up to?"

With a nod, the old wolf followed Harry back to the other guests.

After Remus spent some time apart with Sirius, he came back to again wish Harry a Merry Christmas before he left. Harry could see he was not very happy with what Sirius had told him.

Looking to his godfather, Harry asked, "Remus not happy with what he heard?"

"Yeah," sighed Sirius. "He tried to tell me you've become over-the-top paranoid. However, I then stepped him through everything I knew... which seemed to confirm a lot of what you told him... and he's having trouble accepting it. His problem is, he doesn't want to accept it; but, his logical side is telling him it's all true. He'll need to work through it for himself. Give him time."

Harry nodded back.

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—==(oIo)==—

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It wasn't too much longer that both girls, with both mothers, disappeared claiming they were getting ready. And that Harry wasn't to enter Daphne's 'old' room until they said he could.

He quickly glanced at his new watch, a gift from both girls, and saw that it was barely 2.30 in the afternoon.

"Four hours, we've got, before the portkey," he muttered to his godfather. "What takes them so bloody long to get ready?"

"They like to make it a 'ladies time' for bonding," Sirius replied with a grin. "Besides, neither of your girls has been able to spend time with their mothers since you've arrived. This gives them time to talk about things they'd rather the menfolk not know about."

"And what are the menfolk supposed to do while we wait?" asked Harry.

"We bond," Sirius laughed, before wrapping Harry in a hug and giving him a 'noogie'. Releasing him, he dragged Harry over to the two fathers. "Harry's a bit miffed because the girls have disappeared for four hours."

Both men grinned back. Matthias said, "Enjoy it while you can. It's not often you can get out from under the watchful gaze of your spouse."

"That's why I took up clay pigeon shooting," said Ant. "Cele can't stand the noise of the guns, so leaves me to it."

"Mine's golf," admitted Matthias. "I once heard another man say it meant 'Gents only, ladies forbidden'. But, I think he was just making a joke. I see many ladies playing the sport."

"He was!" laughed Ant. "Ladies have been playing golf for over a century."

Harry sighed and said, "I only played Quidditch. However, now that we've been re-sorted to be together in Ravenclaw, Hermione's put her foot down and won't let me play, anymore."

"Why in Merlin's name not?" asked Sirius, honestly curious and clearly a little offended for his godson.

"Well, out of the two games I played in first year, A possessed Professor Quirrell hexed my broom to try and throw me off. He succeeded but I caught the snitch in my mouth and was only saved from being badly hurt from the fall by Professor Snape. The second game was okay. But, I missed the third because I was already in hospital.

"In second year, in my first game, a bespelled bludger was used to attack me. It broke my wrist and arm. I then crashed while catching the snitch one-handed and was lucky I wasn't hurt any further. Because of that faker, Gilderoy Flophart, I had to have all the bones in my right arm regrown. The second match against Ravenclaw was alright. I didn't get hurt there. And the third game was cancelled because it was the day Hermione and Penelope Clearwater were petrified by the basilisk.

"In third year, first game, I was attacked by dementors and knocked out. I feel about five hundred feet, but Dumbledore managed to tag me with an Arrest Motion charm while I was falling, and someone else cast a cushioning charm on the ground directly under me. I woke up in the infirmary. In the second game, Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle attempted to sabotage my broom. It nearly worked, too. But, Hermione was able to stop them before they were successful. And in the third game, I ended up bruised and a little bloody as the Slytherins played really rough. That was a short few hours in the infirmary.

"Of course, this year, Quidditch was cancelled due to the Tri-Wizard Tournament. I wanted to organise a few pick-up games but that's when Hermione, with Daphne backing her, put her foot down. Her argument is that since I've gotten hurt so much, and that Madam Pomfrey has even put a bronze plaque up over one of the beds with my name on it stating that bed is reserved for my personal use, it's time I hung my Quidditch armour up. Plus, with the re-sort, I can no longer be the seeker for the Lions. And they both say it wouldn't be fair to Cho Chang to knock her off her slot as seeker for the Ravens, if I wanted to play for the Ravenclaw team.

"Besides, she thinks I've already got enough opportunities to get hurt by being in the Tournament. She also added that, if I get hurt playing Quidditch, that could jeopardise me being well enough for any of the events of the Tournament. That would put my magic at risk for not being able to compete."

"You have a bed with your name on it?" asked a chuckling Sirius. "You're more like your father than you think. I think he had a similar plaque over a bed."

"I'm still allowed to ride my broom, though," said Harry. "I think they've decided they can only push it so far before I'd baulk. Besides, I really only played seeker for something to do while riding my broom. Even now I take a snitch out with me when I ride at the pitch; and just practice chasing it down. I think they know I still pull the dangerous moves but justify it to themselves by way of; if they can't see it, it doesn't happen."

"Maybe we should think about finding you a different sport, Harry," mused Ant. "I'd like to take you out, next summer, down to the range I'm a member of; to see what you're like handling a shotgun."

"And to the golfing range," added Matthias. "I'd like it if my son-in-law enjoyed whacking a little white ball and walking for a few hours with me. It'll give us a chance to talk, occasionally."

Surprised at the offers, Harry was quite moved and replied, "Thank you. Yeah. Thank you, both. I'd like to try both, if you don't mind."

"We can do that," replied Ant.

"Besides," said Harry, with a wry grin. "I think a muggle shotgun would be a wonderful weapon to use against Death Eaters who're trying to kill me."

Three hours later, Harry hurried upstairs to 'his' room to get changed. When he walked in the door, he could see his formal robes for the Ball were already laid out; including his accessories, underwear, shoes and socks.

A quick shower and dry, shave and teeth brushing and he was ready quite quickly and early.

When he returned downstairs, Sirius was the first to stand to greet him. "Looking suave there, Pup."

His godfather then walked across and adjusted a few things before stepping back to take another look. "Yeah, looking good."

"I think there's going to be quite a few young witches who're going to be quite jealous of our Daphne and Hermione," said Matthias.

The men teased him for a little while longer before both fathers were called upstairs. A minute later they were each leading their daughters back downstairs.

Harry took one look at his girls and forgot to breathe.

He just stood there, not realising his mouth was agape until his godfather reached across and used a finger to push his jaw closed. That's when he discovered he was quite light-headed from lack of oxygen.

He swayed a little before stepping forward. "You both look... divine!" he softly told them.

Daphne was wearing a shimmering green dress with one bare shoulder. It hugged her torso to low on the hips before it was met with a gathering of material that fell as a loose skirt to the ankle. The entire dress was trimmed with very fine silver beading. With her hair done up in soft waves the jewellery Harry bought her for Christmas accessorised it all perfectly. She held in her gloved hand a small silver clutch purse.

Hermione was wearing a similar style dress. However her bodice had both shoulders covered, sleeveless and with a modestly plunging neckline in silver with emerald highlights, before it ended with a similar flare at the hips akin to Daphne's, also dropping as a skirt to the ankle. Unlike Daphne she showed just the hint of cleavage between her breasts. Her hair was in a similar style but was shaped with soft curls to drop over one shoulder. She, too, was carrying a similar clutch purse in a gloved hand and was wearing the jewellery Harry bought her for Christmas. Again, they were perfect on her.

The three stood for photographs, for a little while, before Matthias said, "You'll need to go beyond the wards before your portkey will work. I'd say Floo to the Three Broomsticks first; but, you don't want to get any soot on you."

"I had Mikey clear a patch of path on the other side of the front gate, a little while ago," said Deece. Jelly and Mikey will elf apparate you to that spot and you can portkey from there."

With about a minute to go, Matthias and Ant brought capes they'd been carrying forward and helped the girls put them on. With last minute kisses on cheeks and handshakes, the Greengrass house elves popped the three teens to just the other side of the main gate.

Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out the rope portkey, holding it out for the other two to grab hold.

"Remember," Hermione said to him. "Just as the portkey is about to stop make sure you're turned in the direction of the spin, and be ready to run a little. That way you won't end up sprawled across the floor of the Entrance Hall."

Harry grinned back, just as he felt the hook behind the navel feeling of an activated portkey.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

The portkey didn't have them arriving in the Entrance Hall, as Harry expected. Instead, they arrived in the antechamber where the first years waited before the sorting. Professor McGonagall was there to greet them.

Though he didn't end up sprawled across the floor, Harry did end up falling to his knees.

"Damn!" he muttered.

Both girls remained on their feet with Hermione near enough for her to have heard him. "Language, Harry James!" she scolded him.

Harry didn't bother to reply as he first dusted his knees off before using a Cleaning charm on them. While he was doing that, Professor McGonagall was complementing both girls on their outfits as she conjured up a cloak rack and hung their cloaks up for them.

When he was ready, Professor McGonagall asked, "All set?"

"Yes, Ma'am," Harry muttered, a little annoyed with himself.

"Very well," she said, before turning to the door and opening it. She then held the door open for the three teens to exit; Harry in the rear.

"Escort your ladies straight inside, Mister Potter," the Professor said as he passed her. "The Headmaster would like a word before the Ball begins.

"No thank you, Professor," replied Harry. "I'm having a very good Christmas Day so far, and I don't want to ruin it by speaking with that manipulative old... man."

Not even waiting for a response, he continued on. Once a few steps away from the door, both girls had stepped to a side each... Daphne on the left, Hermione on the right... as Harry came up between them. Each then took an elbow and allowed Harry to escort them across the Entrance Hall.

There were moving through the crowd of school mates, looking for friends, when Daphne spotted Tracey on the arm of Blaise. She gave a little squeal of excitement and rushed over to hug her friend.

"Well, hello stranger," said a grinning Tracey. "I take it you're enjoying your time away from the school?"

"Oh, yes," replied Daphne. "Mother and Father invited Hermione's parents and Harry's godfather to spend the break with us. I'm learning a lot about the muggle world, too. It's been wonderful."

Harry and Blaise looked at each other and smiled. "So," said Harry. "Is this a date between you two? Or..."

"Just friends," Blaise smoothly added.

"And, where's Mister Urquhart?" asked Harry.

"He's managed to snag a date for himself with a Ravenclaw," replied Blaise. "He'll be along, I'm sure."

Hermione, meanwhile, had spotted Neville coming up from the basement with his date, Hannah Abbott. Walking over to them, she smiled at both and said, "Hello, you two."

Neville gawked just a little at Hermione before he stammered, "Her-Hermione?"

"Don't look so surprised, Neville," she replied with a little blush. "Hogwarts robes and rules about dress are very unflattering."

"I'll say!" added Hannah. Noticing Neville's expression, she jabbed him in the arm. "Don't stare!" she scolded him.

Neville immediately blushed and stammered out an apology. "Sorry. It's just... so different to see friends so dressed up."

Harry and Daphne were saying hello to a couple of fellow year mates in Ravenclaw when Dumbledore came up behind Harry and sternly said, "Mister Potter."

Turning, Harry looked coldly back and, with a very slight tilt of his head, said, "Headmaster Dumbledore."

"I asked Professor McGonagall to inform you to meet me in the Great Hall on your arrival," said Dumbledore.

"So I understand, Headmaster," replied Harry. "However, I had other plans."

With clearly visible anger, Dumbledore asked, "I am not used to students ignoring my wishes, Mister Potter."

"Headmaster," Harry sighed, almost excessively. "Today is Christmas Day; and we are gathered here for the so-called traditional Yule Ball. I do not wish to have this day ruined for my fiancées and myself by getting into an argument with you.

"We are on holidays. As such, our time is our own to do with as we wish. Now, unless there's something so urgent it cannot wait until school recommences, please leave us be."

"I wish to discuss matters relating to your continued education," fumed Dumbledore. "Surely, you do not wish to discuss this in public."

"No, you're right, I don't," replied Harry. As Dumbledore started to look like he'd won the argument, Harry continued, "However, as I have to remain here until the completion of the third task, there's plenty of time to discuss that particular issue. Today will not include that time. After I return on the Express in a little over a week from now we can sit down with my bondmates and my legal representative and discuss the matter then.

"In the meantime, I'm still under instruction from Madam Bones and Mister Ackerman, my legal representative, not to meet with you in private. Will there be anything else, Headmaster?" Throughout, Harry kept his tone light and respectful; though his expression remained closed and cold.

Dumbledore stood there for a few moments more before he finally said, "No, Mister Potter. That's all. I'll see you when you return."

As the old man was about to turn away Harry quickly asked, "Is that the time you want to meet with me, my bondmates and my representative, Headmaster? The evening we return? I need to know so I can organise for Mister Ackerman to be here."

"Another time, Mister Potter," muttered the Headmaster before he quickly hurried away and back into the Great Hall.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

As the Entrance Hall was becoming uncomfortably full, Professor McGonagall opened the doors to the Great Hall and announced all those except the champions could enter. "Please, quickly find your seats so our Champions can make their entrance."

With a fiancée on each arm, Harry led his two girls into the Hall immediately behind Blaise and Tracey, and Horace and his date, Lisa Turpin. The seven of them quickly found a table for themselves, with one chair spare.

They had no sooner sat down when Percy Weasley hurried over and said to Harry, "Mister Potter, you and your date for this evening are expected to enter with the other Champions and be seated at the head table.

"Ah! Percy!" replied Harry. "You've been misinformed. First, I am not a Champion, I'm an unwilling competitor. Hogwarts's Champion is Cedric Diggory; and, I assure you, he's waiting outside with his date for this evening, Miss Cho Chang. Second, I am here with two dates this evening, my two fiancées, Miss Daphne Greengrass and Miss Hermione Granger."

Harry heard either Tracey or Lisa squeal a little and immediately demand to look at rings.

"Third, I made the fact I intend to sit with the other students for this evening quite clear to both Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall quite some time ago. I'm sorry you weren't informed, but it wasn't my place to do so. Will there be anything else?"

Percy looked so shocked he almost looked stricken. "But; you have to sit at the head table. It's all been planned!"

Harry frowned back and said, "Now you're beginning to annoy me. I don't have to do squat, Mister Weasley. What I could do, however, is publicly question Dumbledore, in his role as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, as to why I... the Head of an Ancient House... am being brow-beaten by a low grade Ministry flunky in front of my fiancées and friends. Would you like me to do that?"

Percy gaped a little and blanched in shock before he stuttered, "Err... n-no. I'll... go and find out why I wasn't informed. M-my apologies." He quickly scurried back to the head table.

"Aaaannnd... slap!" said Horace. "Nice put down, Harry."

"Percy always was a pompous prat," smiled Harry right back. "That boy's got a stick up his arse so long it's cutting off circulation to his brain."

While Daphne was trying hard not to snort in an unladylike fashion, Hermione told him off again, "Harry James, you will mind your language in front of others! I don't know where you developed such a potty mouth, but I suspect it was the bad influences of Finnegan and Thomas. I can't see Neville using that sort of language."

"Ha!" Harry shot back. "Don't be fooled by that meek and mild exterior he's cultivated for the public. Neville gives as good as he gets in the dorm."

"I don't think I want to know what you got up to in that dorm," huffed Hermione.

"Oh, just the usual," Harry said airily. "Fart competitions; things like that."

"Fart competitions?" asked Horace, clearly amused.

"Yeah, you know; like who has the loudest, who has the smelliest, who has the longest..."

"Harry James!" barked Hermione, while Blaise and Horace roared with laughter.

"With the way he eats you'd think it'd be a clean sweep for Weasley, but it's Finnegan who can clear a room in about three seconds flat," said Harry. "I tell ya, it's a wonder all the curtains, linen and clothing in that room haven't rotted by now."

"Stop it!" cried Hermione.

Harry, seeing he was now clearly upsetting Hermione, relented. "Alright, Hermione. I'm sorry. I'll stop."

It was just in time, as the three Champions were announced and escorted their dates into the Great Hall.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

By the end of the evening, Harry felt he'd done his best to make sure both his fiancées received equal attention from him both on and off the dance floor.

It also hadn't taken long for news of their engagements to sweep through the school. Both girls were constantly having others approach them during their time off the floor to look at the rings and asking questions such as about when Harry had asked, were they surprised, where were the rings purchased from, were they heirlooms, and similar.

Harry was just glad the official announcement and story would be in the Daily Prophet the next morning, courtesy of the Bancroft woman. She had promised it wouldn't be a sensationalist story à la Skeeter. But, also said it didn't need to be; as it was sensational enough on its own merit.

The idea was to delay the story of the three-way engagement for as long as possible and to counter-effect any story where Harry refused to play the role of a Champion for the Ball.

One of the most relieving aspects of the ball was that Harry had only seen Ron once, for the meal. The boy disappeared almost as soon as the meal was completed. He did not see Ginevra, at all.

With about ten minutes before their return portkey was due to take them back to Greengrass Farm, Harry made sure his fiancées were aware of the time before he began gently herding them towards the Entrance Hall antechamber.

They made it with about two minutes to spare. That was just enough time to check that they hadn't left anything behind, and to don their cloaks.

With about fifteen seconds remaining, Harry withdrew the return portkey from his pocket and offered it to the girls. They both grabbed on and, a few seconds later, were whisked away.

They arrived in almost the exact same place from where they left.

Daphne called for the Farm house elves and they were popped directly to the entry hall of the main house where both mothers stood waiting for them.

"How was your evening?" asked Cele, first to ask.

"It was amazing, Mum!" gushed Hermione, before she then frowned. "But, Harry almost ruined the start of it by telling Daphne's friends in Slytherin about how the boys in the Gryffindor fourth year boys' dorm engaged in... flatulence competitions."

"I thought it was funny," grinned Daphne, just as Sirius walked in.

"Flatulence competitions?" asked Sirius.

"Don't encourage him," huffed Hermione. "I don't believe boys engage in that sort of thing."

"Smelliest, longest, loudest?" asked Sirius, grinning.

"Yep!" replied Harry, pleased his godfather 'got it'.

With a mock sigh and sniffle Sirius said, "I miss those days."

Hermione harrumphed and, with her nose in the air, said, "Come, ladies. We'll talk in the kitchen." And stalked out.

Snickering, Daphne followed with both mothers following her. Harry had no idea, until that night, that 'Ice Queen' Daphne appreciated fart jokes.

After the ladies left, Sirius asked, "So, who was the champ? It'd be that Weasley boy, right?"

With a grin Harry said, "He was the undisputed king of the longest. No surprise considering how quickly he shovels food into his mouth. But, it was Finnegan who consistently had the smelliest; and it was a toss up between me and Thomas for who had the loudest."

"With us, it was the rat," Sirius said quietly. "He had the record for them all. It was about the only thing he was good at."

To get past the uncomfortable silence, Harry said, "Well, I learned tonight that Daphne appreciates good fart humour. It surprised the Hell out of me, to learn that."

"Then the evening wasn't a complete loss," smirked Sirius.

With both of them laughing, Sirius led Harry into the parlour where the two fathers were quietly conversing over a glass of some alcoholic beverage.

"What's so funny?" asked Ant, looking up as they walked in.

"Harry learned tonight that Daphne appreciates the subtle nuances and rules of the fart competition," replied a chuckling dogfather.

"Oh, yes," said Matthias, smirking back. "Her humour has always been of the more ribald variety."

"Anyway," said Ant. "Did you have a good evening? But, more importantly, did both girls have a good evening?"

"Yes to both," replied Harry, sinking onto a couch with a sigh. "I made sure both ladies had plenty of dances; and they enjoyed showing their engagement rings to all and sundry. I think they also enjoyed some of the jealous looks some of the other girls were throwing their way.

"Their outfits were a hit, their hairstyles were a hit, their jewellery was a hit, the news of our engagements was generally a hit, and both utterly loved it."

"Good," said Matthias. "Now that you've experience in attending balls, expect to receive invites for the summer months. Society will want to meet you and the two future Missus Potters. Besides that you're quite famous in your own right, there'll be many who want to see your unique relationship in action for themselves."

"Yeah," breathed Harry. "I'll get Daphne to take care of those sorts of things."

"As you should," nodded Matthias. "The social aspect of running a House is the responsibility of the lady of the House. That'll be Daphne and Hermione."

Nodding, Harry said, "I kinda figured that." Sitting forward again, he sighed and said, "Anyway, this is way beyond my usual bed time. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm heading for bed. Good night."

"Good night," the other three replied as Harry headed for the stairs.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

Two days later, Matthias took them into Knockturn Alley under heavy glamour. They had gone to get their second wands.

The store was, as per most stores in that particular alley, quite non-descript. However, inside it was clearly a place that had done quite a bit of business. They were met inside by a kindly looking man who immediately led them through to a workshop behind the counter.

Unlike with Ollivander, where their wands were pre-made from a narrow selection of core materials, their new wands came from a wider variety. Eventually, Harry came away with a wand that contained basilisk eyestring in an elder wood. It was pretty close to being a match for length with his holly and phoenix feather wand. "A true combat wand, that one is, young Sir," the wandmaker said.

Daphne came away with a mahogany and thestral hair wand - good for combat, defence and transfiguration. And Hermione picked up a spruce and gryffin mane hair wand - whippy, good for charms and enchanting.

When they returned to the Farm, Harry and both girls immediately donned their second wand holsters and fitted them to their left wrists. It was Hermione who first mastered the skill of shooting both wands into her hands at the same time.

Using the room of requirement over the past few months, all three had already developed some skill with casting with their 'off' hand. They now looked forward to practicing casting with a wand in each hand. Thankfully, Greengrass Farm had a well-provisioned practice range in the basement; and all three spent quite a bit of time under instruction and receiving advice from Matthias on how to maximise the use of two wands in fighting.

"Very few can master it," he said. "It requires you to be able to think extremely quickly. At times, you'll need to hold, for example, a shield in place, while you cast an attack with the other wand. It means you'll need to maintain, and pump magic through, two different spells.

"However, even if you can't reach that feat, being able to cast through two wands means you can rapidly shift from one spell to the next switching from one hand to the other and back again. That's the first stage you need to master before moving on to simultaneous casting."

While spending a lot of time practicing with their new wands, the three also spent time just being themselves. Outings included trips to the cinema, to some of the wizarding sights, and also to Godric's Hollow. This time, Harry didn't have the horcrux hunt hanging over his head while visiting the graves of his parents. They took along the parents and, with effort, convinced Sirius to accompany them.

That night, after Sirius was able to compose himself after a delayed reaction and breaking down at the gravesite, he told them some wonderful anecdotes of Harry's parents. Harry always enjoyed hearing stories about his parents.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

A couple days later, Remus returned to visit the Farm and asked for a private chat between him, Sirius and Harry.

Matthias loaned them the use of his 'business meeting' table in his private study.

Entering and without putting up any anti-eavesdropping charms or wards, the three went to the table and sat around it.

Remus, looking quite agitated, took a few moments before he began to speak. "Dumbledore sent me an owl to come and talk to him," he explained. "His note said it had to do with something 'of mutual importance', I think, was the actual phrase.

"Anyway, when I arrived in his office at Hogwarts he wanted to know if I'd been talking to you, Harry. When I said I had... and that I'd visited you, here, on Christmas Day... he asked what we'd talked about."

Both Harry and Sirius remained silent, letting Remus tell it his way.

"That got my hackles up," he explained. "So, I told him it was only about what we'd both been up to, recently. So, he then wanted to know what you'd told me. I told him it was a private discussion between the two of us and I didn't feel comfortable discussing it with him."

This time Remus sighed. "Dumbledore then tried those things you said he would, Harry. He raised how he was disappointed in me, raised how he'd allowed me to go to school there and make friends, and then tried the Greater Good angle.

"I was shocked," he continued, getting a little angry. "Partly, because you'd covered exactly what he'd try, and did. And partly that he actually did it."

Harry reached over and gave the old wolf's forearm a gentle squeeze with a face of sorrowed understanding.

"I got angry, then," Remus continued. "That's when I began to shout at him and accuse him of heinous and immoral acts, that I didn't care one whit about his much vaunted Greater Good, and that I thought him a bastard for trying that on me."

"That's when he accused you of going dark, didn't he?" asked Sirius.

Surprised by how accurate both Sirius and Harry had read the situation, and of what had likely occurred straight after, an upset Remus simply bowed his head and nodded.

"What do you do when the man you most look up to and admire, is proven by his own words and actions to be nothing but a manipulative old goat... molester?" he near-plaintively asked.

"You promise yourself never to fall for his silver-tongued bullshit ever again, and move on with your life," Sirius firmly stated.

"I tossed him my old Order of the Phoenix medallion, hitting him in the chest with it, and stormed out," said Remus.

Turning to fully face Harry, he gave his throat a little clear and held himself up. "I let you down, Harry. Even up to today, I thought what I'd read and heard about that old bastard was either misrepresented or a lie. I now know I was wrong."

"Now that you've seen the error of your ways, you're forgiven," Harry firmly replied. "It might have taken you a decade and a half to figure out Dumbledore is not the Leader of the Light he portrays himself to be, but you've reached there in the end."

"Thank you, Cub," Remus softly said back. "And, I promise to do better from now on."

"That's all I can ask," said Harry.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ

It wasn't too long before the three were packed and ready to return to the castle the night before catching the train. Sirius also picked that moment to bring Harry the locket horcrux. He also had the Cup.

Surprised, Harry asked, "How'd you get the Cup?"

"That took some creative legal manoeuvring," Sirius replied with a sigh. "I asked for it from the Potter account keeper, Senior Sharpclaw? He handed it to me when I asked for it. They still recognise I'm your guardian, even though you no longer need one being emancipated and all.

"I also used the opportunity to announce the dissolution of the marriage between Bellatrix and her idiot of a husband for cause. It was part of the marriage contract that she was to produce two heirs within five years. It's been triple that without heirs, so I cancelled the marriage and claimed back the dowry.

"Next, I kicked her out of the family for transferring her allegiance from the family to Riddle; and used that to claim any and all heirlooms from the remainder of the Lestrange vaults, plus backdated her familial allowance as a Black back to when it was known she had become a Death Eater, and claimed all payments back.

"While I was at it, I offered Narcissa the chance to get rid of that idiot, Malfoy. I haven't heard back from her with her decision, yet. However, I've also informed her that if I discover she's taken the mark, she too will be kicked from the family for giving her allegiance to Riddle.

"I've also blocked Malfoy Junior from ever becoming an Heir of Black by proving Malfoy Senior had taken the mark, and the sins of the father pass to the son.

"Finally, I've brought the Tonkses back into the family and made Andromeda next in line after you to inherit if anything, Merlin forbid, happens to you."

Smirking back, Harry said, "You've been holding out on us, Sirius. You've been busy."

"Well, I've been working with the goblins and that Stewart Ackerman of yours to make sure everything is legal and tight. Plus, while we've been here, I've also had a team of goblin-controlled curse breakers and then a team of renovators and the like going through the Black London House at Grimmauld Place and cleaning it up.

"Gone will be the dreary wallpaper, doxie-infested curtains, elf-heads mounted on the wall and dark items. I'm having the whole thing redone with enlarged windows, polished floors, light and cheery paint on the walls and new furniture."

"A complete makeover," said Daphne. "It sounds as if it'll be really nice."

"And I'm hoping you'd do this old dog the honour of spending at least a few days with me during summer," said Sirius, clearly very hopeful. "Maybe, a day over Easter?"

"That, too, sounds nice," Daphne smoothly replied. To which Sirius gave a huge beaming grin.

Once away from Sirius, Harry quietly said to Daphne, "Thank you, for what you said to Sirius. He really wants to be a good godfather, and feels he has twelve years to make up for."

"That was my impression, as well," replied Daphne. "Plus, it would be nice to spend a couple of days with him."

"He's a lot less... psycho, now," said Hermione. "I suspect he'll be even better by Easter."

"Hermione Jean, what a horrible thing to say!" Daphne softly exclaimed.

"No less true, though," muttered Harry. "I just hope Remus can get over his shattered Dumbledore hero-worship soon, so he can spend more time with him. Beyond anything else, I think what Sirius needs is the company of friends, both old and new."

With both horcruxes, current and goblin-stripped, wrapped separately in heavy silk, and then stored in the bottom of Harry's trunk in his new secret compartment, the three went to bed for their final night of Christmas break at Greengrass Farm.

_‗_

—==(oIo)==—

ˇ